“Going the Extra Mile”: Fostering Social Connections within After-school, Sport-based PYD Programs

Abstract

Social relationships between staff and youth are often regarded as one of the most important mediums to achieving positive youth development (PYD) program aims (McDavid & McDonough, 2019). Despite the promising impacts of staff and youth relationships within sport-based PYD settings, little research has explored how staff foster connections with youth in these settings—particularly youth who are considered at-risk. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis was to describe and interpret staff members’ perceptions of how they foster social connections with youth at-risk within after-school, sport-based PYD programs. Purposefully selected participants included ten staff members (eight women and two men), that work within after-school, sport-based PYD programs. Data were generated via one-on-one semi-structured interviews that were conducted either in-person or via Zoom. All interviews were audio-recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Smith and Nizza’s (2022) four-step process of data analysis was used to identify six themes that represent the findings of this study: (1) getting to know, investing, and showing intention towards youth, (2) fostering positive spaces and relationships, (3) allowing for autonomy and leadership, (4) practicing what you preach, (5) awareness of power dynamics, and (6) approaching with caution. Grounded in the experiences of staff members, findings from this study highlight critical considerations and strategies for fostering social connections with youth that may function to improve the experiences of both youth at-risk and staff members in sport-focused PYD programs.